PIA News Service - Monday, June 13, 2011

BUTUAN CITY, June 13 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will now allow its members to settle debts without penalty of surcharge through its Stock Purchase Loan (SPL) program.

During the recent forum with information officers of the government regional offices in Caraga, Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II of GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office said more than 2,500 members of the pension fund can now settle their loan obligations with zero penalties and surcharges after the new Board approved on April 28, the condonation of outstanding balances under the SPL program.

Ms. Taccad further said all SPL accounts paid on or before June 30, 2011 will enjoy 100 percent condonation on penalties and surcharges as well as a 50 percent condonation on interest.

Furthermore, Taccad stressed the new program forms part of the continuing review of all plans and programs to make them friendlier for all its members and pensioners.

Dubbed as “GSIS Forum with Public Information Officers,” the activity is in coordination with the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Caraga, which facilitated the invitation of some 75 regional offices in the region.

Meanwhile, GSIS Regional Manager Mamole Pangandaman extended her deepest appreciation to PIA-Caraga for the response of the participating information officers of the regional offices.

Pangandaman also enjoined the information officers to have regular coordination with their office to be informed of the latest developments of the government workers’ insurer under the new leadership of Chairman Roberto Vergara. (PIA-Caraga)

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GSIS vows to provide more avenues for members

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, June 13 (PIA) –- In an effort to regain the trust and confidence of its 1.7 million members and pensioners, the new Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) leadership vowed to provide more avenues for members’ inquiry and feedback.

The GSIS was rocked by controversies during the previous government administration.

This assurance was made by Ms. Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II of GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office during the recent gathering of regional government information officers.

Taccad said the GSIS will soon establish a full-fledged call center in the latter part of the year so that its members can just phone in their questions or seek clarification on their concerns right in the comfort of their own homes.

“Also, to help us disseminate information on our programs, we continue to hold regional and sectoral dialogues with our stakeholders composed of members of government employee associations, liaison officers, and public information officers,” Taccad said.

The GSIS official also said GSIS is conducting monthly members’ forum at the GSIS Central Office and Regional Offices nationwide, where representatives from various agencies are invited.

“These measures were purposely undertaken so that we can get back the trust and confidence of all the members of the GSIS which was eventually lost during the previous leadership,” Taccad said.

Meanwhile, another set of forum will be scheduled within the year to be attended by all information officers of the local government units of Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)

According to PDEA-Caraga Regional Director Joel Plaza, the participants of the training are enjoined to re-echo the same to their church members as well as to empower them to become one of the partners to fight the problems brought about by drug abuse and constantly incorporate it to their regular mass, meetings, bible studies, values formation seminars, and the like.

The PDEA director of the region also hoped that with the conduct of the training, church ministers will become one of the catalysts and partners of the drug enforcement agency of the government in making Caraga Region a drug-free region. (PDEA-13/PIA-Caraga)

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PNP, PDEA intensifies campaign vs drugs

by PSupt Martin M Gamba and Dir. Joel Plaza

BUTUAN CITY, June 13 -– Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Caraga Region have intensified the campaign against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances through series of operations to minimize, if not eradicate, all forms of dangerous drugs in the region.

The said team uprooted around 1,000 marijuana plants, with an estimated market value of P156,400.00.

RD Rafal said that the operation was successful because of cooperation of the operating troops, even as it was based on a thorough investigation. He added that the Philippine National Police as law enforcement agency is committed to its mission in making the community a safer place to live.

Meanwhile, Rafal commended the operating team for their dedication to duty. “Said accomplishment must be given due recognition,” he added.

It is the policy of the state and mandate of the PNP to safeguard the citizenry particularly the youth, from harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being. (PNP-PRO-13/PIA-Caraga)